Chapter 8 The Drama on Instagram
“If you don’t regret it, then why did you let Ansel publicly humiliate Ivana? Do you even realize how hurt she was?” Clarence snapped.
He continued, “She’s not some mistress! She’s been quietly supporting me all this time, sacrificing so much for my sake. It only took a few words from you two to turn the world against her. Are you proud of yourself?”
I hadn’t realized how much Ivana meant to him. Every word he spoke was in her defense. He didn’t even seem to care that he had been humiliated.
A bitter laugh escaped me. “If she means that much, then keep her out of sight until the divorce is finalized. Otherwise, like it or not, she’s the mistress for now.” “How dare you—”
Clarence was clearly furious. His sharp and searching gaze said it all. Then, after a beat, he said, “Janelle, I never thought you’d become someone like this.”
Had I changed? I didn’t think so. I had always been this way. He was the one who turned into a stranger.
Still, I didn’t say a word. I turned back and kept smoking.
Clarence, on the other hand, drew in a long breath. It was as though he had finally made a decision.
“I know you hate me, and I know you’re not over me yet. But listen to me, Janelle. I don’t love you anymore.”
“I know. That’s why I filed for divorce.”
He added, “Then let’s not speak to each other again after this.”
“A decent ex should be as good as dead.”
It felt like Clarence had been waiting for me to say that. In his eyes, I must’ve been the type to cling to him. But that was in the past.
If he had ever truly known me, he’d understand that when I let go, it was for good.
I didn’t respond. He probably assumed I was too heartbroken to say goodbye. Before walking away, he threw one last remark over his shoulder. “Janelle, no matter what happens, I’ll never choose you again.”
I couldn’t help but laugh as I watched him go. Did I really seem like the kind of woman who couldn’t let go?
Clarence had barely turned the corner when Ansel appeared. “You’re something else, huh? He practically called you worthless, and you just accepted it.” “It doesn’t matter anymore. Did you get it done?” I asked.
Ansel nodded, and with that, we left the party.
Later that night, I saw the posts Clarence and Ivana had posted on Instagram.
Her caption read, “Clarence and I are truly in love. Years ago, someone manipulated him into marriage. Now that he’s finally free, I’m not giving him up.”
What stood out to me was the photo she chose. In it, she was kissing Clarence, arms wrapped around him. I stood in the background, not far away–blurred but unmistakable. Her attack was as subtle as a brick through a window.
Clarence’s post followed right after. He wrote, “Janelle and I are officially divorced. She filed for it. I think it’s finally time for me to pursue a new life. Ivana’s not the homewrecker. The one left unloved is.”
He had uploaded the same photo.
I hadn’t realized they were capable of something this low. How had I missed just how shameless they really were?
Former classmates who didn’t know the full story flooded the comments with their blessings, while strangers who knew nothing about me started hurling insults. Ansel was the one who told me about this.
He laughed like a kid and said, “Damn! I didn’t know you were this unpopular. People are really going in on you.”
True to form, he sent screenshots my way. The spiteful comments were right before my eyes. There was no way I could ignore them.
I didn’t
It was
to Ansel. Instead, I posted a statement to set the record straight.
more)
like a thread of receipts. From how Clarence had pursued me, to how my family helped the Kirks get through their financial crisis, I also included how he used to be so obsessed with cleanliness when it came to me, yet he had no problem sharing a water bottle with Ivana.
One fact after another, the truth spoke for itself.
Chapter 9 Ansel’s Younger Brother
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